Parents & Carers
As parents and carers, we all worry about bullying behaviour – especially if we have experienced bullying behaviour ourselves.
Every November, we take part in Anti-Bullying Week. This is an opportunity to highlight the issue of bullying behaviour and consider how we can work together to stop it.
Anti-Bullying Week 2026 is taking place from Monday 16th to Friday 20th November and this year’s theme is Break The Silence.
It may feel like our children seem do the opposite of what we say and do, but deep down, they are soaking up our actions like a sponge. So if we want our children to speak out against bullying behaviour and support others who are affected by it, that means we have to set a good example.
From playgrounds to parliament and our phones to our homes, this Anti-Bullying Week BulliesOut is calling on everyone to ‘Break The Silence‘.
Bullying behavior is a serious issue that affects countless children and teenagers every day. As parents, it’s our responsibility to make a stand against it and protect our children. By speaking out and taking action, we can create a safer and more inclusive environment for our children. Anti-Bullying Week will empower children and young people to solve problems with empathy and remind adults of their vital role in leading by example, both in person and online, choosing respect even when we disagree.
- Keep the Conversation Alive: Bullying behaviour is an ongoing issue, and it’s essential to keep the conversation alive. Check in with your child regularly and stay informed about their experiences at school and online. Together, we can speak out against bullying behavior and create a safer, kinder, more respectful world for our children
- Open Communication: Start by fostering open communication with your child. Let them know that they can talk to you about anything, including bullying behaviour. Encourage them to share their experiences, thoughts, and feelings. By listening attentively, you create a safe space for them to confide in you.
- Know the Signs: Educate yourself about the signs of bullying behaviour. Be vigilant and look out for any changes in your child’s behavior, such as sudden withdrawal, anxiety, or a decline in academic performance. Sometimes, children may not directly disclose bullying, so it’s crucial to recognise these subtle signs.
- Teach Empathy: Teach your child about empathy and kindness from an early age. Encourage them to understand and appreciate differences in others. Instill in them the importance of treating everyone with respect and compassion.
- Empower them to handle disagreements and differences of opinion in their conversations without resorting to bullying behaviour.
- Encourage Upstanders: Empower your child to be an upstander, not a bystander. Teach them that they have the power to make a positive difference by speaking out against bullying behaviour when they witness it. Encourage them to support each other and to champion kindness, because being kind is not a sign of weakness but a mark of strength.
- Work with Schools: Reach out to your child’s school and establish a strong partnership with teachers and administrators. Attend parent-teacher meetings and ask about the school’s anti-bullying policies and programmes. If your child is affected by bullying behaviour, work with the school to find a solution.
- Raise Awareness: Each of us holds a power — the power to choose kindness, to speak up, to stand beside someone who feels alone. Bullying behaviour thrives in silence, but when we use our voices, our actions, and our choices for good, we can Break The Silence and create positive change.
- Encourage Peer Support: Encourage your child to seek support from trusted friends or mentors if they are experiencing bullying behaviour. Friends can provide emotional support and help them navigate difficult situations.
- Seek Professional Help: If your child is struggling with the effects of bullying behaviour, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. Visit our Talk2Us page for further information.
- Set a Positive Example: Children learn by example, so model the behavior you want to see. Demonstrate kindness, empathy, and respect in your own interactions with others. Show your child how to handle conflicts peacefully and respectfully.
If you need further help and support, we have a wealth of information in the parent section of our website and our mentors are also available to chat to you by email. Take a look at our downloads page for some information and activity sheets.
Help us to help them to Break The Silence this anti-bullying week, because when we Break The Silence around bullying behaviour, we can stop it before it becomes normalised.
School Staff Award Wales
Children and young people can nominate teachers and school staff for our School Staff Award, sponsored by Radnor Fam, which recognises how they have gone beyond the call of duty to prevent and respond to bullying behaviour and to raise awareness of the importance of respect in school communities.